A Case of Subconjunctival Granuloma Secondary to Tuberculous Panophthalmitis

ABSTRACT

Tuberculous panophthalmitis is, at present, a rare disease and a recent study has revaled that the incidence has decreased to less 1 percent in the causes of granulomatous uveitis. But ocular tuberculosis is still one of frequent causes of uveitis in the world. Ocular tuberculosis may be divided in two main groups with regard to clinical manifestations; one is a simple tuberculous infection, and the other is an allergic reaction depending on the immunological reaction of the patient. We have experienced a 14 year old female who had clinical signs of unilateral panophthalmitis with a subconjunctival mass but no evidence of systemic tuberculosis. The pathologic examination revealed that a chronic granulomatous inflammation was present in the retina, choroid, and sclera with caseous necroses. The same pathologic changes were present in the subconjunctival mass which was closely associated with the markedly thin sclera. It may be, therefore, concluded that the subconjunctival granuloma was secondary to the scleral perforation in tuberculous panophthalmitis.